The National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has reaffirmed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration will continue to strengthen the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) because of its central role in safeguarding Nigeria’s national security.

Ribadu gave this assurance on Wednesday in Abuja at the commissioning of 46 new vehicles for the Agency’s strategic commands and formations. He praised the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), for his discipline, commitment, and transformational leadership, which have repositioned the Agency as a formidable force against illicit drugs.

“This event goes beyond commissioning vehicles,” Ribadu said. “Mobility is vital to reaching hotspots quickly, intercepting traffickers, and deploying resources effectively. Without it, our fight is hampered. Drug trafficking fuels criminal gangs, insurgents, and armed groups. It destroys young Nigerians, families, and communities. That is why the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu places drug control at the heart of national security strategy.”

He added that the vehicles will be deployed nationwide to boost NDLEA’s operational capacity, strengthen deterrence, and ensure traffickers face justice. Ribadu assured that his office will continue to provide full support while coordinating NDLEA’s activities with other security agencies, including the Police, Customs, and NAFDAC.

In his remarks, NDLEA Chairman Marwa described the commissioning as symbolic of government’s sustained commitment to repositioning the Agency. He noted that in just two years under President Tinubu, the NDLEA has recorded impressive results:

• 40,887 drug offenders arrested, including 45 barons.
• Over 5.5 million kilograms of illicit substances seized.
• 704.445 hectares of cannabis farms destroyed.
• 8,682 convictions secured with assets forfeited to the Federal Government.
• 24,173 drug users treated and rehabilitated across 30 centres.
• 8,698 sensitisation campaigns under the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA).

“These results strike a balance between reducing drug supply and drug demand,” Marwa said. “But the fight is far from over. The illicit drug economy is evolving, exploiting our youths, borders, and sometimes even complicit actors. To stay ahead, we must improve intelligence, community engagement, and logistics.”

Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, commended Tinubu for enabling NDLEA’s achievements through consistent support. He noted that there is a close link between drug trafficking and crimes such as kidnapping, armed robbery, and insurgency.

Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, also praised the NDLEA’s professionalism and resilience, describing the new vehicles as a significant boost to its operational response.

Similarly, the Director General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, lauded the Agency’s transparency, stressing that the vehicles were acquired through due process and are “fit for purpose.”

Highlighting the day’s significance, no fewer than 15 newly promoted Commanders of Narcotics were decorated with the rank of Assistant Commander General of Narcotics (ACGN) by Gen. Marwa.